1996 LAW 341

(December 27)

Official Journal No. 42,952 of 8 January 1997

By means of which the "Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Czech Republic" is approved, signed in Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., on May 2, 1995.

THE CONGRESS OF COLOMBIA,

Having regard to the texts of the "Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Czech Republic", signed in Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., on 2 May 1995.

(To be transcribed: photocopies of the integrated texts of the international instrument mentioned, duly authenticated by the head of the Legal Office (E), of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

" TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC

FROM COLOMBIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

The Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Czech Republic, hereinafter "the Contracting Parties", encouraged by the desire to promote and strengthen trade relations between the two countries, on the basis of the principles of respect for national sovereignty, equal rights and mutual benefit, taking into account its regional and international obligations.

The following have been agreed:

ARTICLE 1o. The Contracting Parties, within the framework of the laws in force in the two countries, in accordance with the rights and obligations provided for in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT, as well as the provisions of this Agreement, shall encourage and facilitate the development of trade between the two countries.

ARTICLE 2o. For commercial exchange, the natural and legal persons of the two Parties shall formalize contracts based on this Agreement, taking as a reference the prices of the international market.

ARTICLE 3o. The Contracting Parties shall grant authorization for exports and imports exempt from customs duties, taxes and other duties for the following items, provided that allow the legal provisions in force in each country:

a) Samples of commercial advertising products and materials needed to obtain orders and for advertising purposes;

b) Goods to be shipped in order to be replaced, as long as the replacement items are returned;

(c) Articles and goods for permanent or temporary trade fairs and exhibitions, provided that such goods and goods are not sold;

(d) Reps provided free of charge in respect of guarantees granted;

(e) Tools and equipment intended for services in the territory of one of the Contracting Parties, provided that they are not sold.

ARTICLE 4. In order to encourage commercial relations between the two countries, each Contracting Party shall grant to the economic operators of the other Party, the facilities necessary for the organization of fairs and exhibitions, in accordance with the legal provisions in force in each country.

ARTICLE 5o. The Contracting Parties shall facilitate the transit of goods through their territory, in accordance with the legislation in force in their respective countries and the GATT rules.

ARTICLE 6o. Each Contracting Party shall apply the most-favoured-nation clause to vessels of the other Party that sail with their flags in the international carriage of goods, as far as any matter relating to the navigation and the vessel, access to and use of port facilities.

The provision of this article shall not apply to vessels of Contracting Parties engaged in cabotage and fishing.

ARTICLE 7o. Payments relating to the exchange of goods and services between the two countries shall be made in freely convertible currency.

ARTICLE 8. The Contracting Parties establish a Joint Commission to ensure the correct implementation of this Agreement, to promote the development of trade relations, to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and consultations on specific issues of a commercial nature of interest to the Parties.

the Joint Commission will be composed of the representatives of both Contracting Parties and will meet according to needs, alternately in the cities of Prague and Santa Fe de Bogota, on mutually agreed dates.

The ministries responsible for external trade relations shall be responsible for the administration and coordination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 9o. Each Contracting Party may, by written notice and transmitted by appropriate diplomatic means, submit to the other Party a request for amendment or revision of this Agreement.

This Agreement may be amended or supplemented by mutual agreement between the Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE 10. The disputes arising from contracts concluded within the framework of this Agreement shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of those contracts.

ARTICLE 11. This Agreement shall be for a duration of three (3) years, may be tacitly extendable for periods of one (1) year, unless one of the Contracting Parties communicates in writing to the other the intention to terminate it, in advance of six (6) months to the expiry date of the term.

ARTICLE 12. The provisions of this Agreement shall also apply to contracts concluded during their lifetime and made after their expiration.

ARTICLE 13. This Agreement shall be approved in accordance with the domestic law of both countries and shall enter into force on the day of receipt of the last notification confirming its approval.

Regarding relations between the Republic of Colombia

and the Czech Republic, on the day of entry into force of this Agreement,

will cease the validity of the Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic

of Colombia and the Government of the Republic of Czechoslovakia,

signed on July 14, 1977.

Signed in Santa Fe de Bogota, at two (2) days of the month

of May of a thousand nine hundred and ninety-five (1995)

in two original copies, one in Spanish

and another in the Czech language, both texts being equally valid.

By the Government of the Republic of Colombia,

Unreadable Signature.

By the Government of the Czech Republic,

Unreadable Signature.

The Chief Encharged of the Legal Office

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

NOTES:

That the present reproduction is faithful photocopy of the original of the "Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Czech Republic," signed in Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., on May 2, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-five years. (1995), a document that rests in the archives of the Legal Office of this Ministry.

Dada en Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., a los eighteen (18) dias

of the month of March of a thousand nine hundred and ninety-six (1996).

Chief Legal Officer (E),

SONIA PEREIRA PORTILLA.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF PUBLIC POWER.

Presidency of the Republic.

Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., September 15, 1995.

Approved, subject to honorable consideration

National Congress for Constitutional Effects.

(Fdo.) ERNESTO SAMPER PIZANO

The Foreign Minister,

(Fdo.) RODRIGO PARDO GARCIA PENA.

DECRETA:

ARTICLE 1A. Approve the Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Czech Republic, signed in Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., on May 2 of a thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine five (1995).

ARTICLE 2A. Pursuant to article 1o. of Law 7a. In 1944, the Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Czech Republic, signed in Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., on May 2, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-five (1995), which, by the first article of this Law, is approves, will oblige the country from the date on which the international link with respect to it is perfected.

ARTICLE 3A. This Law governs from the date of its publication.

The President of the honorable Senate of the Republic,

LUIS FERNANDO LONDONO CAPURRO.

The Secretary General of the honorable Senate of the Republic,

PEDRO PUMAREJO VEGA.

The President of the honorable House of Representatives,

GIOVANNI LAMBOGLIA MAZZILLI

The Secretary General of the honorable House of Representatives,

DIEGO VIVAS TAFUR.

COLOMBIA-NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Contact and post.

Execute previous Constitutional Court review,

pursuant to article 241-10 of the Political Constitution.

Dada en Santa Fe de Bogota, D.C., at 27 December 1996.

ERNESTO SAMPER PIZANO

The Foreign Minister,

MARIA EMMA MEJIA VELEZ.

The Minister of Foreign Trade,

MORRIS HARF MEYER.